EVO oil: information, meaning, and characteristics

EVO oil has all the characteristics to be considered the best condiment in the world. It is no coincidence that in 2010, UNESCO certified it as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Seasoning a dish with this "liquid gold" not only means enhancing its ingredients to the fullest, but also giving our bodies an extraordinary gift.

Before finding out what properties make it an elixir of long life, we should have a general understanding of the definition and meaning of EVO oil so as not to run into falsehoods and know how to choose the best product.

What is EVO oil?

First of all, what is the meaning of EVO oil? This name, coined by Umbrian agronomist Massimo Epifani, is used to refer to extra virgin olive oil.

When we talk about extra virgin olive oil, we are dealing with the highest quality olive pressing, which is obtained solely by a mechanical extraction process carried out under controlled temperature conditions that aims to maintain their organoleptic characteristics unaltered.

What is the difference between olive oil and EVO oil?

But what are the differences between extra virgin olive oil and olive oil? Let's take a look together!

• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
  Olive oil can only be labeled EXTRA VIRGIN if it is free of of defects and has free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, that does not exceed 0.03 oz per 3,5 oz (≤ 0.8%) according to the parameters established by European standards.
  For our Extra Virgin Olive Oils, we wanted to adhere to even stricter values than those established by law.
• VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
  Virgin olive oil is characterized by free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, that does not exceed 0,07 oz per 3,5 oz (≤ 2%).

OLIVE OIL is obtained by blending refined olive oil with virgin or extra virgin olive oil with a free acidity content, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0,035 oz per 3,5 oz.

Now that we understand what is meant by EVO oil, let's take a look at its main properties.

What are the properties of EVO oil?

The well-being of the whole body comes from physical activity, adequate rest, and above all, a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins. EVO oil is a very important ally of our health within this framework.

However, attention must be paid to the dosage and calories of olive oil: nutritionists recommend two tablespoons a day in order to most benefit from its positive effects on the whole body without adding excess calories.

So let's see why accompanying meals and snacks with some excellent Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a panacea for our health. EVO oil is a wealth of beneficial substances, such as:

• monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help maintain low levels of LDL cholesterol (the one known as "bad") in the blood, with significant benefits for the cardiovascular system;
• polyphenols, which have antioxidant effects that can defend our bodies from premature aging by fighting free radicals;
• vitamin E, which protects body cells from oxidative damage.

Be careful, though: as is the case with wine, another key product of the Mediterranean diet, you need to know the tricks for properly storing olive oil, so as not to compromise its highly sought-after quality. In the case of olive oil, it is essential to keep the bottle away from sources of light and heat.

Now that you know what EVO oil is and what its properties are, all you have to do is find out how to combine EVO oil with food: on bread, pasta, pizza, to dress salads... you're spoiled for choice! Try it out and you’ll see why using EVO oil is the best choice for all healthy food lovers.